Oil sealing device for journal boxes



p 1935- E. ARMSTRONG ET AL 2,054,017 7 OIL SEALING DEVICE FOR JOURNALBOXES Filed Oct. 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventors,

P 1936- I E. ARMSTRONG ET AL 2,054,017

OIL SEALING DEVICE FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed Oct. 12, 1934 2 sheets-sh et2 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OIL SEALING DEVICEFOR JOURNAL BOXES Application October 12, 1934, Serial No. 748,090

8 Claims.

This invention relates to oil sealingv devices for journal boxes.

There is provided at the Wheel end of a railway journal box, a narrowdust guard pocket for holding a flat dust guard surrounding the carwheel axle. It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an.oil sealing device to replace the dust guard, which will not onlyexclude the dust, but will at the same time retain the lubricating. oilwithin the journal box, to conserve the oil and maintain amplelubrication, reducing friction and consequently lowering the fuelconsumption in the running of trains, besides making it possible, bymeans of the maintenance of ample lubrication, to run trains muchfaster.

A further object of this invention is to provide an oil sealing devicefor journal boxes which, while fitting within the narrow pocket of thejournal box will, with the use of a special formation of gasket ofleather or the like, seal against the inner wall of said pocket andaround the circular opening therein, through which the axle passes, andat the same time will seal against the running surface of the axle in azone in the plane of the dust guard pocket, by means of an inturnedcircumferential lip or neck portion to the gasket, having within thisneck portion and fixed thereto, a ring of felt or the like, in contactwith the running surface of the axle, to assist in holding back the oil.

A further object in connection with that of providing a gasket, is toprovide wedging means for holding the body of the device forcibly upagainst the flat portion of the gasket, where it contacts the inner wallof said guard pocket.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable, flatsectioned, metal ring around said neck, for holding said felt ring andsaid lip in close circumferential contact with said axle.

A further object is to provide with said metal ring, an adjustable andlocking clamp, aflording means for adjusting the pressure of said metalringv against said neck, and 'in turn, exerting a pressure contact ofsaid felt ring and said lip, against the running surface of the axle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elastic means forpractically maintaining an adjusted pressure of said ring, on said neck,While taking up slack due to Wear of said lip and said felt ring. 1

And a further object of this invention is to provide a check to theadjustment of said metal ring, to limit the tightening thereof, and thusprevent the one who makes-the adjustment, from clamping the felt neckportion of the gasket too tight, which would force a strong frictionalengagement of said felt ring upon said axle, tending to destroy theseal, or burn it out.

With these and other objects, which will here- 5 inafter appear, ourinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is hereinafterdescribed, 7 its functions are explained and what we claim is setlforth.

In the drawings, 7

Figure 1 is an elevation of our oil sealing device, with adjustableholding means.

Figure 2 shows in section the same device housed in part of a journalbox, including the dust guard pocket and axle.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of our device similar to part of thatshown in Figure 2, but here enlarged.

Figure 4- is an enlarged elevation of the adjustable clamping. parts ofthe device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of that end of the metal holding ringwhich has a toothed sleeve fixed thereto.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the swivelled bolt with its-locking pin.

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the double wedging member.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the plate body of our device, includingthe tapered, channeled wedge seat.

' In:. the figures, the dust guard pocket ll], of Figures 2 and 3, isshown in the journal box fragment H, to have an inner wall l2 and anouter wall I3. Within the pocket ID, is positioned the oil seal device[4, having a plate body 15", in which is the large hole [6. Passingthrough the hole 6 and the holes H and I8, of the respective inner andouter walls I2 and 13, of the pocket H3, is the car wheel axle l9. Heldtightly between the plate body l5, and the inner wall I2, is the flatportion 20, of the gasket 2|, which is held in oil sealing contact withthe Wall l2, by the forced engagement of the double wedge member 22,with the outer wall 13', and with the two tapered wedge seats 23, whichare fixed upon one face of the plate body l5, between which seats 23isthe hole l6. Each 'wedgeseat 23 has a longitudinal? groove 24, inwhich slidingly fits a tapered blade 25, of thed'ouble wedge member 22.

The wedge-member 22 (see Figure '7) has ahorizontal bar portion 26,integral with the tapered blades 25, and is provided with two projectingscrewsv 21, as means forming'an anchorage to which a tool can beattached for withdrawing the wedge member 22, whenever desired,particularly when making an adjustment to the seal. Integral with theflat portion 20, of the gasket 2|, is the neck flange 28, having aninturned lip 29, beveled at 30. Within the neck flange 28 is a felt ring3|, in contact with the running surface of the axle I 9. The felt ring3| is attached to the neck flange 28,. and may be fixed thereto bycement or rivets, or both. Surrounding the neck flange 28, is the splitmetal ring 32, having outturned ends 33 and 34. Fixed upon the platebody I5, is the nut piece 35, which is next to the ring end 33. Fixedupon the ring end 34, is the bolt sleeve 36, (see also Figures 4 and 5),having a tooth 3'I, projecting from its outer end. The bolt 38 passesthrough the sleeve 36, and the ring end 33, and engages the nut piece35. The bolt 38 has an enlarged shank portion 39, with a shoulder 40.Projecting from the shoulder 40, next to the threaded portion of thebolt 38, is a short pin 4 I, positioned to engage the tooth 31 on thesleeve 36. Surrounding the sleeve 36, and in bearing contact with thering end 34, and the shoulder 40, of the bolt 38, is a coiledcompression spring 42. There is hinged to the bolt shank 39, at thehinge 43, an extension 44, having a cross slot 45 in its end. Thisextension 44 is made long enough to reach outside the narrow pocket I8,when lifted up to be in line with the bolt shank 39, as is shown at 44of Figure 1, so as to be easily engaged by a screw driver, for turningthe bolt 38.

Having described one embodiment of our invention herein illustrated, wewill now refer to its installation and its functions. The oil sealingdevice is installed as follows: Prior to entering the axle I9, into thejournal box I I, the bolt 38 is turned to loosely engage the ring ends33 and 34, as shown in Figure 4. The split-ring 32 will then looselyengage the neck flange 28. In this condition, the device is dropped intothe pocket I0, with the bolt extension 44, positioned near the top ofthe pocket IIJ. Next the axle I9 is entered through the device hole I6,passing within the beveled edge 30, of the inturned lip 29, and the feltring 3 I, into its proper position, engaged by the usual bearing brass,not shown. The wedge member 22 is driven down engaging the seat grooves24, to force the flat portion 20, of the gasket 2|, into oil sealingengagement with the wall I2, but prior to positioning the wedge member22, the bolt extension 44 is lifted up to be in line with the bolt shank39, (lifted as at 44* of Figure 1) having the free end outside thepocket I0, where a screw driver is engaged with the slot 45, to turn thebolt 39, into the nut piece 35, to bring the shoulder 40, of the bolt38, into contact with the spring 42. (See Figure 4.) A further turningof the bolt 38, compressesthe spring 42, forming a tightening action todraw the out-turned ring ends 33 and 34, closer together. Upon acontinued turning of the bolt 38, to tighten the ring 32, the spring 42is further compressed, until the bolt pin 4| engages the tooth 31, (asin Figure 1), on the fixed sleeve 36, arresting any further turning ofthe bolt 38 and stopping any further tightening of the ring 32, at apoint of desired compressive adjustment of the felt ring 3 I, in contactagainst the car wheel axle I9, to produce a pressure just sufficient tocause a proper oil seal during the running of the axle I4, without unduefriction.

The spring 42 should be of such a strength, for its length, that when itis compressed to a point where the pin 4| stops against the tooth 31,the spring pressure exerted to draw up the ring ends 33 and 34, willcause the desired adjusted pressure contact between the felt ring 3 I,and the axle I9. Then, as wear takes place, the spring 38 will cause atake-up by the ring 32, to preserve the proper oil sealing contact ofthe felt ring 3 I and the lip 29, with the axle I 9.

If, due to further wear, of the felt ring 3|, the tooth 37 works awayfrom the pin 4|, (as relatively positioned in Figure 4), another turn ormore of the bolt 38 can be made in further adjustment, to take up thiswear, until the pin 4| again locks against the tooth 31. After anyturning of the bolt 33, as above described, the bolt extension 44 isdropped back into the pocket I0, to be at an angle to the bolt shankportion 39, to practically lock the bolt 38 against accidental turning.This locking feature together with the take-up, afforded by the spring42, and the stop, to limit the turning of the bolt 38, to prevent unduetightening of the ring 32, provides an adjustment of the felt ring 3|,and the lip 29, in contact with the running surface of the axle I9, thatinsures a practical and durable oil seal. After setting and adjustingthe ring 32, in tightness and turning the bolt extension 44 down intothe pocket I 0, the double wedge member 22 is put in place and forceddown to seal the gasket portion 20 against the wall I2.

With the oil thus sealed in and conserved, and the axle lubricationmaintained, friction, under running conditions, will be greatly reduced,leaving more engine power for faster travel, as well as efiecting suchan economy in the use of fuel, that the cost of installing this oil sealwill soon be offset by the economy effected.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention,changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopethereof. We therefore wish to include all forms and changes which comewithin the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and betweenthe walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprisinga body plate have a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, agasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and saidbody plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said bodyplate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compresssaid flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, saidwedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered, complementalmembers, positioned normal to said open end, of said pocket, and spacedto have one of said sets on one side of said axle, and the other set onthe opposite side of said axle, one member in each set being fixed orintegral with said body plate, and the other member, complemental to thefixed member, being movable, a grooved face on one member of each set,positioned next to its complemental member, and a blade portionslidingly fitting said grooved face on each of said last mentionedcomplemental members, the taper between the members in each set beingsuch, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedging means willexert a side pressure between said body plate and said flat portion ofsaid gasket, and a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flatportion, surrounding said axle.

2. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and betweenthe walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprisinga body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle,a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls andsaid; body plate and'isurrounding saidv axle,

wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls toforce said body plateto compress said fiat portion of said gasketagainst the wall it adjoins, said wedging means, including twov parallelsets of long tapered, complemental. members, positioned normal to saidopen end, of said pocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on oneside of said axle, and the other set on the opposite side of said axle,one member in each set being fixed or integral with said body plate, andthe other member, complemental to the fixed member, being movable, agrooved face on one member of each set, positioned next to itscomplemental member, and a blade portion slidin-gly fittingsaid'g'rooved face on each of said last mentioned complemental members,the taper between the members in each set being such, that as themovable members are forced in, said wedging means will exert a sidepressure between said body plate and said flat portion of said gasket, aneck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surroundingsaid axle, and a felt ring between said neck portion and said axle.

3. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and betweenthe walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprisinga body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle,a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls andsaid body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between saidbody plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate tocompress said flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins,said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered,complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of saidpocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle,and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in eachset being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member,complemental to the fixed member, being movable, a grooved face on onemember of each set, positioned next to its complemental member, and ablade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of said lastmentioned complemental members, the taper between the members in eachset being such, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedgingmeans will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said fiatportion of said gasket, a neck portion to said gasket integral with saidflat portion, surrounding said axle, an inturned circumferential lip tosaid neck, and a felt ring between said neck and said axle.

4. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and betweenthe walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprisinga body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle,a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls andsaid body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between saidbody plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate tocompress said fiat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins,said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered,complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of saidpocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle,and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in eachset being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member,complemental to the fixed member, being movable, a grooved face on onemember t each set, positioned next to its: com plemental member, and ablade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of'said lastmentionedcomplementalv members, the taper betweenthe members in each setbeing such, that as the movable members: are forced in, said wedgingmeans will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said flatportion of said. gasket, a neck portion to said gasket integral withsaid fiat por tion, surrounding said axle, and a holding ring membersurrounding said neck portion to: force the same toward: said axle.

An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and betweenthe walls of a narrow pocket around an axlein a journal box, comprisinga body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle,a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls andsaid body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between saidbody plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate tocompress said flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins,said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered,complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of saidpocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle,and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in eachset being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member,complemental to the fixed member,being movable, a grooved face on onemember of each set, positioned next to its complemental member, and ablade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of said lastmentioned complemental members, the taper between the members in eachset being such, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedgingmeans will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said fiatportion of said gasket,

a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion,surrounding said axle, a holding ring member surrounding said neckportion to force the same toward said axle, said holding ring membercomprising a split ring, adjacent ends to said split ring, and aclamping bolt with a nut for drawing said ends together.

6. An oil sealing device adapted for use between the walls of a narrowpocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having ahole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flatportion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate andsurrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and theother of said walls to force said body plate to compress said fiatportion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, a neck portion tosaid gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, aholding ring member surrounding said neck portion to force the sametoward said axle, said holding ring member comprising a split ring,adjacent ends to said split ring, a clamping bolt with a nut for drawingsaid ends together, and an extension hinged to said clamping boltadaptted to reach outside said pocket to be turned by a '7. An oilsealing device adapted for use between the walls of a narrow pocketaround an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having a holetherethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a fiat portionto said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate andsurrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and theother of said walls to force said body plate to compress said flatportion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, a neck portion tosaid gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, aholding ring member surrounding said neck portion to force the sametoward said axle, said holding ring member comprising a split ring,adjacent ends to said split ring, a clamping bolt with a nut for drawingsaid ends together, said holding ring member comprising a split ring,two outturned ends to said split ring, a nut next to one of said ends, abolt passing through both of said ends, engaging said nut, a sleevefixed to the other of said ends, surrounding said bolt and positioned toextend away from said ends, a tooth on the outer end of said sleeve, alug on said bolt, adapted to engage said tooth, a compression springsurrounding said sleeve next to the outturned ring end having saidsleeve, and a shoulder on said bolt engaging said compression spring.

8.In an oil sealing device adapted for use between walls of a pocketaround a shaft in a journal box, a compressible sealing ring,surrounding and in contact with said shaft, a split ring enveloping saidsealing ring, adjacent ends to said split ring, turnable clamping meansfor adjustably drawing said ends toward one another, said clamping meansincluding a hinged extension, adapted to be lifted in said pocket, to beconnected with a manually turned tool.

ERNEST ARMSTRONG. JOHN EDWARD THEBAUD.

